THE DAILY WHIP: FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012

**Members are advised that the House is expected to begin consideration of amendments to H.R. 5325 – Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2013 as early as 9:00 a.m. and that if they have amendments to the bill, they need to be prepared to offer at the appropriate place in the bill.

Continue Consideration of H.R. 5325 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 (Rep. Frelinghuysen – Appropriations) H.R. 5325 appropriates $32.1 billion in FY 2013 for the Energy Department and federal water projects, which is $965 million below the President’s request and $88 million below the enacted level for FY 2012. House Republicans are developing this year's spending bills based on the $1.028 trillion discretionary spending cap included in the Republican (Ryan) Budget Resolution rather than the $1.047 trillion cap agreed upon in last year's Budget Control Act. As a result, this bill leaves even less room for other agencies and programs in appropriations bills to be considered down the road, as Republicans try and ‘frontload’ some of the appropriations bills while still fitting under their cap.

The measure increases funding for the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, as well as for fossil fuels and alternative energy programs and nuclear energy research and development. Funding would be reduced for a wide range of activities, including Army Corps of Engineers projects, Energy Department science programs, advanced energy research, defense and non-defense environmental cleanup activities, nuclear non-proliferation programs, and most renewable energy programs.

As of last night, the House completed all general debate on the bill. The House will begin reading through the bill and considering amendments today. Members are advised that the House will not complete consideration of H.R. 5325 today.

“Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) said he recently polled his conservative district – the House is concentrating on none of their priorities. ‘I’d say none of the above,’ Kingston said. ‘Really. If you go in and ask people what they care about, they’re worried about Iran and Israel, Syria, Afghanistan, spending in general, the economy and gas prices. And as long as we’re talking about FDA or other issues, we’re not relevant to them.’”